Search
Search results
TC
The Complete Works of Evelyn Waugh: Essays, Articles, and Reviews 1922-1934: Volume 26
Evelyn Waugh and Donat Gallagher
Book
This volume is part of the Complete Works of Evelyn Waugh critical edition, which brings together...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Minari (2020) in Movies
Apr 4, 2021
Pleasant Enough
With it’s 6 Oscar nominations (including nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor), the drama MINARI has become a touchstone of films with Asian (or Asian-American) roots.
And…it is worthy of these accolades - and this place in history - for MINARI is a warm-hearted, loving look at a Korean-American family trying to make it’s way in the world in 1980’s Arkansas.
Written and Directed in Oscar Nominated fashion (for both categories), Lee Isaac Chung presents a realistic American family looking to forge a new living while still remaining true to their cultural roots.
Steve Yeun (THE WALKING DEAD) is Oscar nominated for his lead role of Jacob, who moves his family to Arkansas in the hopes to start a farm that specializes in Korean food. Yeun’s performance is earnest and sincere and I am happy for him that this performance is nominated. The rest of the family unit is strong - with the stand out being Yuh-Jung Youn as the Grandmother. She brings the most interesting and nuanced character to the screen and I wouldn’t be surprised if she pulls the upset and wins the Oscar for Supporting Actress. Finally, veteran character Actor Will Patton is a spark of energy as a local who helps Jacob on the farm.
And…that, ultimately, is the problem with this film. Writer/Director Chung spends most of his time creating the atmosphere and the characters, He fails to realize that there really is no compelling event to drive the plot forward. It’s a “fine” slice-of-life film and one that is enjoyable to watch with a strong, charismatic cast, but nothing really happens and that, finally, is a problem.
This is most certainly a deserving Oscar nominated film - especially in these pandemic times - with big budget Blockbuster films pushed to the sidelines, this type of quiet film is thrust to the forefront - and good for them and I’m glad that the spotlight is shining on this film. I just wish there was more plot and a more compelling reason to watch this film.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take this to the Bank(ofMarquis)
And…it is worthy of these accolades - and this place in history - for MINARI is a warm-hearted, loving look at a Korean-American family trying to make it’s way in the world in 1980’s Arkansas.
Written and Directed in Oscar Nominated fashion (for both categories), Lee Isaac Chung presents a realistic American family looking to forge a new living while still remaining true to their cultural roots.
Steve Yeun (THE WALKING DEAD) is Oscar nominated for his lead role of Jacob, who moves his family to Arkansas in the hopes to start a farm that specializes in Korean food. Yeun’s performance is earnest and sincere and I am happy for him that this performance is nominated. The rest of the family unit is strong - with the stand out being Yuh-Jung Youn as the Grandmother. She brings the most interesting and nuanced character to the screen and I wouldn’t be surprised if she pulls the upset and wins the Oscar for Supporting Actress. Finally, veteran character Actor Will Patton is a spark of energy as a local who helps Jacob on the farm.
And…that, ultimately, is the problem with this film. Writer/Director Chung spends most of his time creating the atmosphere and the characters, He fails to realize that there really is no compelling event to drive the plot forward. It’s a “fine” slice-of-life film and one that is enjoyable to watch with a strong, charismatic cast, but nothing really happens and that, finally, is a problem.
This is most certainly a deserving Oscar nominated film - especially in these pandemic times - with big budget Blockbuster films pushed to the sidelines, this type of quiet film is thrust to the forefront - and good for them and I’m glad that the spotlight is shining on this film. I just wish there was more plot and a more compelling reason to watch this film.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take this to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated My First Stone Age: The Card Game in Tabletop Games
Apr 7, 2021
The Kids Table series from Purple Phoenix Games seeks to lightly explore games that are focused toward children and families. We will do our best to give some good insight, but not bog you down with a million rules…
My First Stone Age: The Card Game (that’s a mouthful) is a quick and easy card game that can be played by any child of any age assuming they have the attention span for it (mine didn’t the first couple times). It focuses on memory skills and set collection mechanics.
Setting up is easy. Shuffle the Hut Cards and give each player one. Shuffle the Goods Cards and deal nine face-down in a circle. Place the rest of the deck in the middle of the circle face-up. Plop Martin, the mammeeple (mammoth meeple) on or near one of the face-down cards and you’re ready to play!
The winner of the game is they who is able to build three huts first. Players can build huts by moving Martin around the circle clock-wise 1-4 spaces, collecting the card if it matches the players’ hut card, and then building the hut by discarding the goods used. Each turn players will be able to move Martin, flip a card to see if it matched their hut card, and build a hut. The game continues in this fashion until the winner has built their third hut!
This is a very light game that has very simple rules, and not a ton for the players to have to keep track of or remember. Perfect for young ones and not-so-young ones alike. We love the artwork on the cards and being able to move a large mammeeple around the table searching for fish or arrowheads. While the game is competitive in that there is a winner and therefore also losers, we mitigate that by saying that, “if I win then you get to tickle me, but if you win I get to tickle you!” That usually quells any upset youngsters pretty quickly.
We love this game and it is a great first step into gateway games that target older audiences. It is simple and quick, and a minimal investment for a good few minutes!
My First Stone Age: The Card Game (that’s a mouthful) is a quick and easy card game that can be played by any child of any age assuming they have the attention span for it (mine didn’t the first couple times). It focuses on memory skills and set collection mechanics.
Setting up is easy. Shuffle the Hut Cards and give each player one. Shuffle the Goods Cards and deal nine face-down in a circle. Place the rest of the deck in the middle of the circle face-up. Plop Martin, the mammeeple (mammoth meeple) on or near one of the face-down cards and you’re ready to play!
The winner of the game is they who is able to build three huts first. Players can build huts by moving Martin around the circle clock-wise 1-4 spaces, collecting the card if it matches the players’ hut card, and then building the hut by discarding the goods used. Each turn players will be able to move Martin, flip a card to see if it matched their hut card, and build a hut. The game continues in this fashion until the winner has built their third hut!
This is a very light game that has very simple rules, and not a ton for the players to have to keep track of or remember. Perfect for young ones and not-so-young ones alike. We love the artwork on the cards and being able to move a large mammeeple around the table searching for fish or arrowheads. While the game is competitive in that there is a winner and therefore also losers, we mitigate that by saying that, “if I win then you get to tickle me, but if you win I get to tickle you!” That usually quells any upset youngsters pretty quickly.
We love this game and it is a great first step into gateway games that target older audiences. It is simple and quick, and a minimal investment for a good few minutes!
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Bad Lieutenant (1992) in Movies
Oct 25, 2020
Great Character, Bad Movie
A corrupt cop is forced by a mob boss to pay off his debt or be killed. Hailed as a cinematic classic, Bad Lieutenant truly failed to grab me for a number of different reasons. It misses the mark in a number of ways.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 5
Characters: 9
Love him or hate him The Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is one memorable character. Every scene he is in is unpredictable as you have no idea what he’s going to do next. While I was more on the hate side of things, I envied him at the same time. The Lieutenant does whatever he wants and gives zero shits about it.
Cinematography/Visuals: 6
A few scenes caught my eye here and there, but there was nothing overall that really stood as overly memorable or powerful. Visually I was unimpressed as it felt like a film just going through the motions. I wasn’t as immersed in the scenes or the world as I had hoped.
Conflict: 5
We know the conflict, we know what’s at stake, yet I can’t feel the true threat of it throughout the film. My other problem was The Lieutenant is such an awful guy that you don’t really care what happens to him. As a result, the conflict then becomes just mediocre.
Entertainment Value: 5
Memorability: 3
Pace: 5
You see a lot of casual day-to-day over the course of the movie which slows things down tremendously. Despite Lieutenant’s antics, the movie moves in a really boring fashion. You never get the sense that you are progressing towards anything.
Plot: 2
Resolution: 2
I was hoping for some kind of redemption here, but was extremely overwhelmed. When the credits roll, I was more depressed than anything. It solidified what was a crappy movie in my opinion.
Overall: 52
Don’t believe everything you read. All the critics said this movie was amazing, but it falls well short of today’s offerings. Then again, I’m willing to admit that I could be the one that’s wrong. Give it a shot at your own discretion.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 5
Characters: 9
Love him or hate him The Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is one memorable character. Every scene he is in is unpredictable as you have no idea what he’s going to do next. While I was more on the hate side of things, I envied him at the same time. The Lieutenant does whatever he wants and gives zero shits about it.
Cinematography/Visuals: 6
A few scenes caught my eye here and there, but there was nothing overall that really stood as overly memorable or powerful. Visually I was unimpressed as it felt like a film just going through the motions. I wasn’t as immersed in the scenes or the world as I had hoped.
Conflict: 5
We know the conflict, we know what’s at stake, yet I can’t feel the true threat of it throughout the film. My other problem was The Lieutenant is such an awful guy that you don’t really care what happens to him. As a result, the conflict then becomes just mediocre.
Entertainment Value: 5
Memorability: 3
Pace: 5
You see a lot of casual day-to-day over the course of the movie which slows things down tremendously. Despite Lieutenant’s antics, the movie moves in a really boring fashion. You never get the sense that you are progressing towards anything.
Plot: 2
Resolution: 2
I was hoping for some kind of redemption here, but was extremely overwhelmed. When the credits roll, I was more depressed than anything. It solidified what was a crappy movie in my opinion.
Overall: 52
Don’t believe everything you read. All the critics said this movie was amazing, but it falls well short of today’s offerings. Then again, I’m willing to admit that I could be the one that’s wrong. Give it a shot at your own discretion.
Fancy Nail Art Games for Girls – Cute Manicure Decoration Ideas and Beauty Salon Free
Lifestyle and Games
App
Hey girls! Get the best beauty game for you and enjoy being the best manicurist in the world....
Nestia - Making Life Simple
Lifestyle and Travel
App
Nestia provides a one-stop platform that is dedicated to making your living in Singapore a breeze. ...
Princess Dress-Up
Games and Entertainment
6.0
Rate It
App
--> Hundreds of dress up combinations - clothes, hairstyles, jewelry and much more! --> 4 beautiful...
Girls Hair Salon
Games and Education
App
SAFE FOR KIDS • No Ads • Parental Controls ABOUT PAZU Pazu is a mobile games company that...
Dawn Rising
Games
App
Magical 2.5D Classical PC Element Masterpiece of the Year The journey of the magical MMORPG begins ~...